Tongs



which is composed of few and simple parts,

Patented July 7, 1931 FREDERICK PHILIP BROCKSCHMIDT, OF QUINCY, ILLINOISTONGS- Application filed August 15, 1930. Serial No. 475,523.

This invention relates generally to tongs provided with a long extensionhandle, for reaching the tongs into underground storage pits, sewer maintraps, or frostproof closets placed below ground level, into whicharticles such as tin cans, bottles, small sticks and the like fall, andmust be removed, and it is the particular purpose of this invention toprovide an efficient and satisfactory tongs for reaching into saidplaces, and grasping said articles, so that they may be removed bywithdrawing the improved tongs.

It is an obj ect of this invention to provide an improved tongs of thetype described,

which is rugged and serviceable, and which is cheap and extraordinarilyeasy to manufacture. y

It is also an object of this invention to provide a device of thecharacter described which is as far as possible made up of sta-ndard andreadily purchasable parts.

It is also an object of'this invention to provide a tongs of the typedescribed, which will be quick and positive in operation, simple tomanipulate and certain and strong in its gripping function.

These and other and further objects which will appear as the descriptionproceeds, the nature of the invention, its composition and arrangementand combination of parts will be fully understood by anyone acquaintedwith the art to which this invention relates upon consulting thefollowing description of the drawings, in which:

Figure l is a view of my complete tongs partly in elevation and partlyin vertical longitudinal section.

Figure 2 is a bottom view.

It is to be definitely understood that I do not desire to limit theapplication of this invention to the particular modification set forthherein, and any change or changes may be made in materia-l and structureconsistent with the spirit and scope of the invention.

In detail in the drawings, 5 indicates a tubular casing which may be asection of pipe threaded at both ends exteriorly. Threaded on the upperend is a cap 6 having a central aperture 7 through which an operatingrod 8 is adapted to reciprocate. The upper end of the rod 8 is providedwith a ball handle 9 and the lower end of the rod 8 projects through andbeyond the lower `rend of the casing 5. Y

Threaded on the lower end of thercasing 5 is a collar 10 havingprojecting from its lower edge portion outwardly and downwardly directedflange 11 which has a horizontally and laterally projecting flange 12.The collar 10, the flange 11 with the flange l2 forma body generallydesignated 13 which `has an upwardly concaved recess 14 in its lowerside for freely accommodating the upward motion of a disc 15 which ismounted by a collar 16 on the lower end of the shaft 8.

The edge portions of the disc 15 are provided circular in cross sectionas at 17. The special formation of the body 13 provides an improvedarrangement ,of co-acting parts which greatly increase the efciency andstrength of operation of the tongs as will be understood by anyonefamiliar with the art. The lower face of the flange 112 is provided atintervals with pairs oflugs 18, between which .are journalled pivots 19,on which ride Vclaws generally designated 20. The claws20are formed ofdepending bars 21 which are slightly bowed inwardly as at 22l inthefamiliar manner of a claw, and pointed at the lowermost portion as at23.

The upper end of the claw 20 is provided with a stop face v24 whichabuts a projcc- 35"' i tion on the outer upper portion of the flange 11indicated at 25 to limit'the outward movement of the claw 20. At a pointa short distance below the stop face 24 and so placed that the stop face24 coincides with the portion 25, is provided a pivot 19 which engagesthrough the lugs 18 and the claw 20, to pivotally maintain the claw insaid disposition. y j y Projecting inwardly from and contiguous to thepivoted portion of the claw isan arm 26, Vwhose end portion isbifurcatedand the furcations 27 are bent ior otherwise formed so that theylooselyw grasp theV circular outer portion or the disc l5. The inner endof lower end of the collar, and the outer end the bight of the U-shapedformation is rounded as at 28.

It is thought to be obvious that upon the reciprocation of the rod 8 bythe ball handle 9, the claws 2O will be swung inwardly and outwardly,and upon full retraction of the rod 8, the point 23 of the claws will bebrought into close or closed position, for

grasping objects.

It is intended that some spring means such as that of acoiled springindicated at 29 shall be provided to contact the under part of the ball9 and the upper part ofthe cap G for retaining the bar 8 in fullyretracted position, and of suflicient strength to retract the said barwith suliicient force to enable the claws 20 to firmly grasp objects,desired to be lifted.

' It is intended to manufacture the casing 5 of a suiiicient length sayfive or six `feet, for use in deep traps, and storage chambers, toenable a person on the ground level to reach into said traps and thelike and remove obstructions and articles therefrom without descendinginto the trap or withrod for reciprocation Within the casing, and Ythrough the said aperture, a ball handle on the upper end of the-rod,and a claw operating disc screw-threaded on the low-er end of the rod,and a collar screw-threaded on the lower end of the casing, a downwardlyand outwardly flared flangeat the lower end of said collar, and alaterally directed flange on the outer lower end of said first namedflange, and a plurality of pairs of depending lugs on the lower surfaceof the last mentioned flange, and 'stop members formed adjacent to andabove said lugs on the upper surface of the last mentioned flange, apivot through said pairs of depending lugs, and claws pivoted near theirupperV ends between each of the lugs of said pairs, a projection on theupper end of said claws above said pivotal point, adapted to engageagainst said stop members, and inwardly and laterally directed armsprojecting from said claws adjacent the pivotal points and the inner endportions of the arms adaptedL to beengaged with the said disc,` saiddisc comprising a collar, a circular flange on the portions of theflange expanded to have a circular cross section.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

FREDERICK PHILIP BROCKSCHMIDT.

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